Pulley device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to pulley devices and more particularly to sheet-metal type pulley devices adapted to accommodate a non-cylindrical drive shaft. The embodiment of the invention disclosed in the present application comprises first and second sheet-metal body members having annular abutting plate sections, and peripheral diverging sections defining an annular belt-accommodating groove. Central integral hub sections extend axially from said plate sections and define a central aperture shaped to accommodate a non-cylindrical shaft. The annular plate section of a third sheet-metal body member superimposes one of the aforesaid abutting plate sections and also defines a central hub section spaced axially from the other hub sections, said plate sections being in fixed abutting relation.

United States Patent 1 Schultz, Jr.

[4 1 Mar. 27, 1973 PULLEY DEVICE [75] Inventor: Edward H. Schultz, Jr., Glencoe, 111.

[73] Assignee: The Nagel-Chase Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Dec. 6, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 204,899

[52] US. Cl ..74/230.8, 74/2303, 301/63 DD [51] Int. Cl ..F16h 55/52 [58] Field of Search ..74/230.8, 230.3; 242/475,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,646,689 7/1953 Maher ..74/230.8 2,738,681 3/1956 Schultz ..74/230.3

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 454,827 3/1949 Canada ..74/230.3 200,945 7/1923 Great Britain ..301/63 DD Primary Examiner-Charles J. Myhre Assistant Examiner-Ronald H. Lazarus AttorneyRoy H. Olson et al.

1571 ABSTRACT The present invention relates generally to pulley devices and more particularly to sheet-metal type pulley devices adapted to accommodate a non-cylindrical drive shaft. The embodiment of the invention disclosed in the present application comprises first and second sheet-metal body members having annular abutting plate sections, and peripheral diverging sections defining an annular belt-accommodating groove. Central integral hub sections extend axially from said plate sections and define a central aperture shaped to accommodate a non-cylindrical shaft. The annular plate section of a third sheet-metal body member superimposes one of the aforesaid abutting plate sections and also defines a central hub section spaced axially from the other hub sections, said plate sections being in fixed abutting relation.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PULLEY DEVICE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has heretofore been common practice to provide die cast pulleys or sheaves. It is an important object of the present invention to provide improved sheet-metal type pulleys which exhibit greater strength and durability and which may be produced more economically thandie-cast pulleys.

More specifically, the presentinvention contemplates the provision of'a novel sheet-metal pulley which is particularly adapted to accommodate non-cylindrical drive shafts.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide improvements in sheet-metal pulleys of the type referred to above, having unique and efficiently operable sheet-metal hub sections.

The present invention contemplates sheet-metal pulleys for non-cylindrical drive shafts in which slippage between abutting pulley plate sections under heavy load conditions is precluded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The foregoing and other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a sheet-metal pulley device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 7

FIG. 2 is a central sectional'view of the pulley device shown in FIG. 1',

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the pulley device taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary end elevation as viewed along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The body members 12 and 14 are generally cup-shaped and include peripheral diverging sections 18 and 20, which define an annular belt-accommodating groove 22. The body member 14 is nested within the body member 12, as clearly shown in FIG. 2.

The body members 12 and 14 also include abutting annular plate sections 24 and 26, respectively. The body member 16 also includes an annular plate section 28, the plate sections 24, 26 and 28 being secured in firm abutting relation by suitable means such as a plurality of annularly spaced welds 30. The central portions of the plate sections 24 and 26 are bent or drawn axially in coaxial relation to provide a hub section 32. The hub section 32 defines a central aperture 34 for accommodating a non-cylindrical shaft member (not shown). Formed integral with and extending axially from the annular plate section 26 is a second hub section 36 having a re-entrant portion which defines a Pulley devices of the type described herein are often mounted upon a vertical drive shaft. Under such circumstances there is a tendency for lubricating oil to pass downwardly along the periphery of the vertical drive shaft and into the area or chamber bounded by the hub section 36 (FIG. 2). To prevent any accumulation of liquid in this chamber from leaking radially outwardly between the abutting annular plate sections 14 and 16, a suitable sealing washer 40 is provided.

Because of the above-described novel arrangement of the plate and hub sections, pulleys so constructed function very satisfactorily under heavy load conditions. In fact, pulleys constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, when used for their intended purpose have been operated under exceptionally severe loads without experiencing any slippage between the plate sections. The constituent parts of the above described pulley device may be produced by the practice of conventional sheet metal forming and stamping methods. Hence, the present invention enables the production of an unusually strong and durable sheet-metal pulley at minimum cost of manufacture. The overlapped or superimposed sheet-metal portions of limited axial extent which form the hub section 32 provide a very firm support for the pulley bodies 12 and 14 when said bodies are mounted upon a drive shaft. Also, the reentrant portion of limited axial extent of the hub section 36 cooperates with the aforesaid superimposed portions of the hub section 32 in providing a balanced drive coupling with a noncylindrical shaft member. In other words the axially spaced shaft-accommodating portions of the hub sections 32 and 36 contribute materially to the stability of the pulley when mounted upon a non-cylindrical shaft member.

What is claimed is:

l. A pulley device including first and second sheet metal body members having annular abutting plate sections, diverging sections located radially outward of said abutting sections to define an annular belt-accommodating groove, a hub section formed integral with and extending axially with respect to the central portion of each of said first and second annular abutting body sections, said hub sections being disposed coaxially adjacent each other and presenting a central aperture shaped to accommodate a non-cylindrical shaft, a third sheet metal body member having an annular plate section' superimposing at least one of said abutting plate sections and having an integral central hub section spaced axially from said first-mentioned hub sections for accommodating a non-cylindrical shaft, and means for securing said first, second and third annular plate sections in fixed abutting relation.

2. A pulley device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pulley body members are substantially cup-shaped, with one pulley body nested within the other pulley body. I

3. A pulley device as set forth in claim 1 wherein each pulley body includes an integral annular portion extending axially from the outer periphery of each plate section of the first and second body members, the axially extending portion of one of said plate sections being adjacently superimposed by the axially extending portion of the other plate section.

4. A pulley device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the diverging sections extend radially outwardly from the margins of said axially extending annular sections.

5. A pulley device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the outer peripheral surface of the portion extending axially from the outer periphery of one plate section is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the portion extending axially from the outer periphery of the other plate section.

6. A pulley device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hub sections of the first and second plate sections comprise adjacently superimposed circumferential portions of limited axial extent.

7. A pulley device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hub section associated with the third sheet-metal body 4 member comprises a re-entrant circumferential portion of limited axial extent defining an opening for accommodating a non-cylindrical shaft member.

8. A pulley device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hub section of the third body member defines a chamber, and sealing means is provided to prevent leakage of fluid between said chamber and the area located between the annular plate sections of said third body member and the annular plate section abutting therewith. I

9. A pulley device as set forth in claim 8 wherein the sealing means comprises an annular sealing ring.

10. A pulley device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the hub section of the third body member includes a substantially cylindrical, hollow portion extending axially of the plate section of said third body member. 

1. A pulley device including first and second sheet metal body members having annular abutting plate sections, diverging sections located radially outward of said abutting sections to define an annular belt-accommodating groove, a hub section formed integral with and extending axially with respect to the central portion of each of said first and second annular abutting body sections, said hub sections being disposed coaxially adjacent each other and presenting a central aperture shaped to accommodate a non-cylindrical shaft, a third sheet metal body member having an annular plate section superimposing at least one of said abutting plate sections and having an integral central hub section spaced axially from said first-mentioned hub sections for accommodating a non-cylindrical shaft, and means for securing said first, second and third annular plate sections in fixed abutting relation.
 2. A pulley device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pulley body members are substantially cup-shaped, with one pulley body nested within the other pulley body.
 3. A pulley device as set forth in claim 1 wherein each pulley body includes an integral annular portion extending axially from the outer periphery of each plate section of the first and second body members, the axially extending portion of one of said plate sections being adjacently superimposed by the axially extending portion of the other plate section.
 4. A pulley device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the diverging sections extend radially outwardly from the margins of said axially extending annular sections.
 5. A pulley device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the outer peripheral surface of the portion extending axially from the outer periphery of one plate section is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of thE portion extending axially from the outer periphery of the other plate section.
 6. A pulley device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hub sections of the first and second plate sections comprise adjacently superimposed circumferential portions of limited axial extent.
 7. A pulley device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hub section associated with the third sheet-metal body member comprises a re-entrant circumferential portion of limited axial extent defining an opening for accommodating a non-cylindrical shaft member.
 8. A pulley device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hub section of the third body member defines a chamber, and sealing means is provided to prevent leakage of fluid between said chamber and the area located between the annular plate sections of said third body member and the annular plate section abutting therewith.
 9. A pulley device as set forth in claim 8 wherein the sealing means comprises an annular sealing ring.
 10. A pulley device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the hub section of the third body member includes a substantially cylindrical, hollow portion extending axially of the plate section of said third body member. 